S&W 41 vs HIGH STANDARD VICTOR .22 5 1/2

[Hexer]

I have owned three High Standards. A Military HD, A Citation (Hamden) and the one I own now, a Victor made in East Hartford. I highly recommend these pistols. Wise to stay away from high velocity ammo as mentioned. I can't compare with the Model 41 as I don't own one and have never had the pleasure to shoot one. Would not hesitate to recommend the Victor.

 

[TOM BECKWITH]

Collect 41s (46s/41-1s/52s) along with HS Victors (Basically Hamden). Bullseye - prefer the 5.5" HS Victor because of grip. For field, I carry a S&W 46 with 5" sport bbl. Both are highly reliable, great triggers, good balance. Chose based on your personal gut feel after trying both. Both have various bbl and grip choices (aftermarket).

I personally prefer the older - S&W with cocking indicator - Victor Hamden only - but then I am slightly older than fire and brother to dirt.

 

[Broker50]

FWIW, I prefer the Victor. The 41 always felt "awkward" to me. Just my opinion only. I like a 22 conversion on a 1911 better than either, but I'm not a bullseye shooter.

 

[wantmoresmiths]

My son owns a Victor, while I own and shoot a model 41. I'd say it's a bit of a toss up between the 2. My model 41 is very picky about the brand of ammo I feed it, the Victor seems less picky. I can still buy factory magazines and run them right out of the box. My son has been having a hard time finding quality magazines for the Victor, and can't seem to properly tune the magazines he does have. Depending on the type of competition, the 41 has a slight advantage in the magazine changing department. The 41 has a 1911 style magazine release which is easier to operate than the magazine release of the Victor. Both are extremely accurate. I vote for the 41 only because you can still get factory replacement parts.

 

[GyMac]

I just shot a Victor last week. I was issued a 41 in the past so I have experience with both. Granted, I did not shoot a match with the Victor, just a few rounds, but the gun was very accurate. What really struck me, though, was how exceptionally well-balanced the gun was for me. It goes beyond the .45 grip angle. It just hung on target for me - of course I was shooting it one-handed. I can't remember any gun that felt so well balanced, for me.

Chris

 

[BLACKHAWKNJ]

i tried both before I bought, I bought the Victor ( a 1972 Hamden) because the grip angle of it was better for me. IIRC they designed it to feel like the M1911.

 

[USBP SW]

I shot both the Victor and mod. 41 in competition and I liked both. I slightly preferred the shootability of the High Standard, I believe that it stayed on target a little better than the Smith. I attribute this to a lighter slide and, therefore, felt a little more comfortable in timed and rapid fire stages with the High Standard. I shot my best scores with the High Standard but the differences in inherent accuracy were negligable between the two. I had more concerns with the trigger pull on the Smith, it broke at exactly 2.2 lbs. and I was always worried that I would be disqualified for the trigger pull, I had to gingerly lift the kilogram weight off the ground while holding my breath or it would drop the hammer.

Good luck whatever you decide,
Steve

 

[Davidus]

Check out the comments at rimfirecentral.com for detailed info on High Standard. While I bought a model 41, I still think about a HS Victor. The Houston company seems to be making a great product again.

 

[bigshot500]

thanks guys...I told my neighbor everything and he bought the gun... it was a hamden ct made HS...

 

[Wee Hooker]

Thanks for the responce...I have the mk2 govt and a 5.5 and 7.5 41 and the smiths have it all over the mk2govt..especially when it comes to the trigger...they break like a glass rod..the ruger isnt nearly as crisp.
So I guess it depends on the vintage of the HS, I should tell him to find out via the s/n when it was made and based upon this should determine if he buys it...btw the price was 650 w box. I did look on several auction sights and the prices are all over the place..is the vintage/production date the reason for the swings from 500 all the way to 900 for the same gun?

Your right, but the the rugers trigger can be fixed pretty darn nicely with a drop in $30 sear. My S&W 41 does not have a great factory trigger nor is it a home spun job to fix it. Not saying the Ruger is a better gun but I'd argue it's a better value.

 

[bigshot500]

I was under the impression that the government model had an improved trigger? are you certain that a drop in sear will improve the feel?

Your right, but the the rugers trigger can be fixed pretty darn nicely with a drop in $30 sear. My S&W 41 does not have a great factory trigger nor is it a home spun job to fix it. Not saying the Ruger is a better gun but I'd argue it's a better value.

 

[Wee Hooker]

I was under the impression that the government model had an improved trigger? are you certain that a drop in sear will improve the feel?

Quite. I've done five of them. They come out very nice. There is still a slight touch of creep but MUCH improved and down to 2.5#. Both Volquartsen and Clark make trigger kits. Check out rimfirecentral dot com for reviews on the kits and links to install them.( As well as discussion on the 41 and HS).

hth

 

[bigshot500]

this is what you would suggest?
https://www.volquartsen.com/pictures/15-mkiimkiii-target-sear

 

[Brassmaster]

I own a S&W 41 and a Hi-Standard Victor. I aquired my first M41 in about 1980, purchased new and shot it in bullseye competition. I fired an average of 5k rounds/year through it with no loss of accuracy. I have since aquired an early version of the M41, with the cocking indicator. It too is a tack driver and works flawlessly. About three months ago I acquired a Hi-Standard Victor. The more I fired it, the better I liked it. Like my M41, it is very accurate on the bullseye range at 50 yds and functions flawlessly. The more I shoot it in bullseye competition, the better I like it! I purchased a Marvel Gun Works scope mount for it and installation was a breeze, just remove the ventilated rib and the Marvel Mount replaces it. The screw holes line up perfectly, no drill & tapping required. The Marvel Mount was $45. Also, Champion's Choice sells a grip mount for Hi-Standard pistols for about $50., no drill & tapping required for it either. I have a grip mount on my M41 too, same, no drill & tapping. I love both pistols and would not rate one over the other. Both are masterpieces of craftsmanship, accuracy and reliability!!

 

[hammer47]

Back in the day when I shot on a Navy Team I started out with a 41. Switched to a 107 Military Victor, the scores went up 7% and I never looked back. The trigger was the best and the 1911 grip angle was just the ticket. Didn't dislike the 41 but fell in love with the HS.

 

[oldRoger]

I started out with a Military V., traded it on a new M46, and then traded that for a new M41 in 1967. I added a second 1967 M41 later that year (I was single at the time).

I have never had a bit of problem with the 41s with the exception of the occasional alibi which is usually was a case which failed to clear. Other than replacing a worn Mag release and springs the parts are all original.

I now use Bully Barrels which have no extension and since switching ejection failures have ceased. My lifetime supply of Peters SV is now almost gone so I use CCI SV and FTF are very rare.

I cannot imagine anyway that triggers could be better than those on this pair of old 41s.

 

[dlancello]

I shot bullseye in the 60s and used a MKI ruger bull barrel. I just recently got a 41 and I love it. I've shot a few HS, I don't remember the models but they were exelant shooters. As for the problems with the 41s, I had a lot of feed and ejection problems but after a through cleaning I cant seem to make it malfunction. I've used every thing from the loose bulk ammo to the match grade in both standard and high velocities. I don't use the high vel ammo as a rule but i was trying to see if I could get it to malfunction and couldn't.

 

[sceva]

I had an East hartford Citation and now have a Mod 41. Both the Hi Standard and the 41 are great pistols but I prefer my 41. As has been stated; the H-S is dependent on a pricey magazine that MUST be tweaked to the pistol. Also, the recoil spring is of small dia; tends to rub in it's channel wearing it thinner and should be changed every 20k shots or so. Last; the Hi-Standard frame can crack on the right side where there is a thin area with a relatively sharp inside corner; especially if high velocity ammo is used or the recoil spring weakens. If it cracks the frame is done.

 

[IFFV]

I have the S&W M41 & a Less expensive High Standard, Hamden, Sport King Lighting with the Two barrels & box. The gun is about 98%. One barrel is the 4" & the other is the 7 3/4?? I was lucky. My 41 has a very lite trigger with zero creep. Of course the High Standard has the same trigger pull.
I only use Standard Velocity in both guns.
I have three H.S. magazines with no problems.
I like my 41 the best but I don't have one of the trophy's to compare.
My H.S. is a 1975 model Sport King. All the numbers match on the frame & both barrels. The H.S. were all machined & have hand fitted trigger. Very smooth. Both the 41 & H.S. are very easy to disassemble & reassemble.
I believe parts are available for both.
Very clean H.S. Victor's, etc. can bring some $$. You should have a nice shooter with either.

 

[5906fan]

as wee hooker get a ruger and have a smith do trigger job or install aftermarket and bead front sight.
hell-for-stout built.
I went diveing in 10' of cold mountain stream river one november day when I was younger man and flipped my canoe when spaniel jumped out. lost my pistol in the scramble after I flipped. now I know why kayakers wear helmets I took a substantial 'whack' to the noggin from the canoe's aluminum gunwale. but got canoe and most gear on bank - I had a lashing to my pack and paddle so got a large fire going after I got the canoe aright and de-watered. I stripped off and went diveing to get that pistol. took me several dives I was near to turn blue. got it and when I got to the bank I swirled it around in the cleaner water after I pulled the mag and cleared a cartridge. slung the water off it and checked the barrel, loaded and it FIRED. mof shot couple squacks and a grey fox going to my take-out landing.
I love the 41's though.